Te’a Omari Cooper (born April 16, 1997) is a professional basketball player from the United States. She is a free agent in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Cooper has previously played for the Los Angeles Sparks and has had a remarkable college basketball career playing for the Baylor Lady Bears, South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Early Life
Cooper was born on April 16, 1997 (age 25), in Newark, New Jersey, to Omar Cooper and Kindall Cooper. She grew up alongside her three siblings: Mia Cooper (Imani) and twins Sharife Cooper and Omar Cooper. The Atlanta Hawks drafted Sharife in 2021.
Cooper began playing basketball at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She worked hard to build her skills, and her dedication paid off as she became a standout player in high school.
She attended McEachern High School and played for the school’s basketball team. During her first year, McEachern High School achieved an undefeated record of 33-0, and Cooper contributed to the team’s success with an impressive 65% shooting accuracy.
Throughout her high school career, Cooper helped McEachern High School secure three Georgia 6A State titles in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Cooper’s outstanding performance during the 2015 McDonald’s All-America game earned her the co-MVP title.
During her high school years, Cooper attracted the attention of several college basketball programs with her impressive play on the court. She ultimately decided to attend the University of Tennessee, where she played for the Lady Volunteers. Cooper had a solid freshman season, averaging 8.6 points and 2.5 assists per game.
Career
Te’a Omari Cooper‘s love for basketball began in high school, where she started playing for her school’s team. Her impressive talent on the court led her team to win three Georgia 6A State titles, a significant accomplishment in high school basketball. She was also named the co-MVP of the 2015 McDonald’s All-American game, a prestigious all-star event for the country’s top high school basketball players.
After one season at Tennessee, Cooper transferred to South Carolina, where she played for the Gamecocks. She had to sit out the 2016-2017 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but she returned to the court in the 2017-2018 season and had a standout year, averaging 11.9 points and 2.7 assists per game.
Cooper then transferred to Baylor for her final two seasons of college basketball. She had an impressive junior year, averaging 13.6 points and 4.7 assists per game and helping lead the Lady Bears to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. Cooper averaged 12.5 points and 3.8 assists per game as a senior and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team.
Cooper has proven to be a valuable asset on the court, and her impressive play has earned her recognition as a rising star in the WNBA. In the 2020 WNBA draft, Cooper was selected by the Phoenix Mercury, but unfortunately, she was released before the season started. However, the Los Angeles Sparks saw her potential and signed her for a one-year deal, where she has been playing at the peak of her career.
Personal Life
In 2020, Te’a Cooper and Dwight Howard married in a private ceremony after being engaged for a year. However, their marriage was short-lived, as the couple separated in April 2021. Despite keeping their relationship low-key initially, news of their split spread quickly on social media.
Currently, Cooper is in a relationship with Alvin Kamara, a running back for the New Orleans Saints.
Te’a Cooper stands at the height of 5 ft 7 tall. She weighs around 55 Kg.
Social Media
- Instagram @tea.cooper2
- Twitter @TeaCooper2
Net Worth
Cooper has a total net worth of US$2 million.